Auto clubs

[FinallyRetired]

I'm considering AAA Plus at $151 per year for DW and I versus AARP at $79 for comparable service (jump battery, up to 100 miles towing, etc). Any reason why I shouldn't go with the cheaper plan? Anyone have good or bad experiences with either plan?

[73ss454]

Take a look at your credit cards for the towing and stuff. Also look at your car ins. for these features.

I didn't think anyone belonged to AAA anymore.

For maps go to mapquest.

[travelover]

My DW insists on maintaining AAA road service for herself, but it goes against my "never insure against what you can afford to lose" policy.

[CyclingInvestor]

Whenever I own a car, I carry the AAA Plus, but only because I buy cars for $1k - $2k,
and expect to use the service alot. I usually used the tow service about twice / year, plus
replace all my maps as well. One 20m tow makes the whole package worthwhile. I don't
really view it as insurance, but as a discounted prepayment of services.

[Texas Proud]

Is there a difference in plans?? Is there something besides AAA plus (like minus)...

My mom has AAA for many many years and I think she only pays like $80... she does not use it much, but will not get rid of it for anything.

[thefed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyclingInvestor Whenever I own a car, I carry the AAA Plus, but only because I buy cars for $1k - $2k, and expect to use the service alot. I usually used the tow service about twice / year, plus replace all my maps as well. One 20m tow makes the whole package worthwhile. I don't really view it as insurance, but as a discounted prepayment of services.

what kinds of cars do you pick up? just curious what your methods are....is this just something you started doing? or have you determined it to be cheaper? i'd be interested in hearing a little more...what kinds of cars, miles, probs etc

pm me if u like


thanks

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefed what kinds of cars do you pick up? just curious what your methods are....is this just something you started doing? or have you determined it to be cheaper? i'd be interested in hearing a little more...what kinds of cars, miles, probs etc pm me if u like

Cycling, I think this is something we would all like to hear about. I have a garage now, but if I should later get a place with no parking, I plan to sell my nice car and buy a beater. Some huge Detroit iron that no one would want to steal. My buddy just bought a co-op (for $400,000 no less!) with no garage or offstreet parking. He had an 06 Sub WRX wagon, so he bit the bullet and sold it. Just too painful to have a nice car beat up or stolen.

Ha

[CyclingInvestor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefed what kinds of cars do you pick up? just curious what your methods are....is this just something you started doing? or have you determined it to be cheaper? i'd be interested in hearing a little more...what kinds of cars, miles, probs etc

Small Toyota and Honda sedans. The last one I bought had 260,000 miles on it. It lasted
3 years until an uninsured moron pulled out from a driveway in front of me and totalled it
(no injuries). I generally look at Auto Trader, find one that looks OK, and buy it for cash.
I have no knowledge about cars, and little interest in them except as a way to get around
when my bike won't do. They usually last 2-4 years and have about 1 major repair ($600-
$800 or so) a year. I find it to be alot cheaper than buying a new car, but more expensive
than not having a car, as I often do not. Currently I borrow my roommates car or rent one
when I need one, maybe 1-2 times / month.

[CyclingInvestor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha Cycling, I think this is something we would all like to hear about. I have a garage now, but if I should later get a place with no parking, I plan to sell my nice car and buy a beater. Some huge Detroit iron that no one would want to steal. My buddy just bought a co-op (for $400,000 no less!) with no garage or offstreet parking. He had an 06 Sub WRX wagon, so he bit the bullet and sold it. Just too painful to have a nice car beat up or stolen. Ha

My roommates previous car was a Crown VIctoria, an enormous car that depreciates
very quickly, so you can a nice one just a few years old cheap (info from my brother,
who does know cars). It needed little maintenance, got poor mileage, and felt very solid.

[Goonie]

Many years ago I had AAA, and used it a few times to get my old beater-junks hauled off the shoulder of the highway. But their prices kept creeping up and up, so I finally dropped out of the club.

I currently pay about $10 a year on my car ins for towing. I've only needed it a couple of times, but it sure was nice to get reimbursed for the tow. I've had the towing on my policy for ~12 years, and I've definitely recouped my premium payments.

I used to really like those AAA customized travel maps, but like 73ss454 said, MapQuest, and also Google Maps and Yahoo Maps are great....and FREE!!! A while back I bought a Garmin StreetPilot c530.......no more fighting with maps while I'm driving!

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonToRetire I'm considering AAA Plus at $151 per year for DW and I versus AARP at $79 for comparable service (jump battery, up to 100 miles towing, etc). Any reason why I shouldn't go with the cheaper plan? Anyone have good or bad experiences with either plan?

I used to belong to AAA, heck I used to SELL AAA in college, but that was BEFORE GPS, MAPQUEST, and many insurance companies offering towing.

I can't remember all the "inside info", but I do know AAA made a LOT of money because only about 30% EVER used the towing or roadside service..........

[perinova]

Not using AAA anymore here. We cancelled it and we are now using coverage from our auto insurance. You really can't beat the price for maybe about $25 (or is it even less?). Why pay to close $125 for AAA or even $80?

Our insurance gave us a card with a toll free number to call for service and we used it a couple of times. No problem thus far.

We would only miss the AAA books for hotels and entertainment and travel services but these days everything is online on Expedia and others.

Maps you can get for free. Each state has its own free map on their tourist bureau site.

[KB]

I just renewed my last year of AAA and paid $79 for my son and me. This year I noticed a limit of 4 services are included in the service; additional charges for more than 4 tows/services.

Before my kids were driving, I always used the towing service that was included in my auto insurance. That probably cost $10 a year.

I only purchased AAA for teenage boys with new drivers licenses. It was worth it for those few years. I'm returning to my auto insurance when my youngest turns 21 in August.

[FinallyRetired]

You guys are awesome. I added the basic battery jump and tow insurance to my USAA auto policy for $24 a year for two cars. I never did want the maps and other things AAA provides. Thanks!

[Texas Proud]

Oh.... BTW, I just bought a new batter for my moms car and it had a card attached to it.... FREE JUMPS for three years!!!

You had to activate the card by calling a number at least two days prior to use, but that to me seems like a great way to get a jump...

And I bought one of those battery backups that you have in the trunk... you are supposed to recharge it every three month or so. I had to use it once and it worked just fine. Comes with a light and an air pump also.

[Sarah in SC]

Ah, but if you have an RV, the situ changes! We have the RV Plus coverage for $120 a year, which covers the cars and the beastly 1976 Airstream motorhome. If you could even get it jacked up to change one of those tires...would you want to?

Our car rolling stock always cost under $5k, and my last two cars before the Saturn ($3k) were a $1700 Olds Cutlass (bought from a lady in a nursing home) and a Buick Wagon for $1500. They last 3-4 yrs and then you replace them, like Cycling Investor says.

The AAA is totally worth it when you drive junkers. We had a tow from Columbia to Charleston two months ago--about 2 hrs away. The RV Plus coverage covered the whole cost. We've had 3 tows this year. I don't think they are making money on us!